Wesley Clark, the former U.S. general who led NATO’s bombing campaign against Yugoslav targets in 1999, is expected to appear before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers by November 19, as announced by the defense team of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi. Clark will be the final witness called by Thaçi’s defense.
In addition to Thaçi’s lawyers, the defense teams of Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi will also have the opportunity to question Clark. Selimi’s team has been granted approximately 30 minutes, while Krasniqi’s lawyers have requested 45 minutes for additional questions.
None of the defense teams have opposed the supporting documents that will accompany Clark’s testimony. However, Selimi’s representatives have informed the panel that they reserve the right to object during the session if Clark’s statements directly reference Selimi.
Earlier, Selimi and Kadri Veseli had objected to the admission of certain pieces of evidence submitted by the prosecution during the hearings of Thaçi’s witnesses. They argued that these materials, which concern the armament of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK) and early attacks on Serbian police stations in 1997, were introduced at an unacceptably late stage of the trial — specifically during the testimony of former U.S. diplomat Jock Covey.
“The defense was unaware of these allegations, which were made public at a very late point in the proceedings, when the defense had already decided not to call additional witnesses,” the defense motion stated, criticizing what they view as the court’s decision to allow the prosecution to effectively reopen its case.
